How Drinks Can Affect Your Smile

Posted November 19, 2015.

You probably know that some drinks are bad for your teeth, but did you know that others can actually help you fight off gum disease and tooth decay? Do you know which drinks are good for your smile and which aren’t? If not, please read on!

Have you ever heard that you should drink several glasses of water a day? While drinking the right amount of water is great for your overall health, it can also have a significant impact on your oral health. Water will carry bacteria away, and most water contains fluoride. Fluoride is a useful material that can strengthen weakened enamel.

When you think of milk being good for your smile, do you assume it’s because the calcium in milk will strengthen your teeth? While it’s true that calcium is good for your smile, milk can also work against sugar, bacteria, and acids. Put simply, milk can protect your teeth from decay.

Finally, unsweetened tea can help you fight bacteria, prevent plaque formation, and keep your gums healthy. Sadly, if you add sweeteners to your tea, you’ll miss out on many of these benefits.

Conversely, did you know that coffee can stain your teeth? Fortunately, adding milk can reduce the staining. Similarly, while wine can be good for your heart, it can also stain your teeth—especially if you choose red wine. However, it can also protect you from gum disease. Similarly, the acids of dark sodas can wear down enamel and promote tooth decay. To make matters worse, if you drink soda cold, your teeth will be more porous, leaving your teeth more susceptible to staining.

If you would like to learn more about the risks and benefits of some drinks, please feel free to contact us.